Rattlesnake Bite

Rattlesnake bites are a medical emergency. Rattlesnakes are venomous. If you’re bitten by one it can be dangerous, but it’s very rarely fatal. However, if left untreated, the bite may result in severe medical problems or can be fatal.

The venom from the majority of rattlesnake bites will damage tissue and affect your circulatory system by destroying skin tissues and blood cells and by causing you to hemorrhage internally. Most rattlesnake venom is composed mainly of hemotoxic elements.

There are around 30 different species of rattlesnakes in the world. They can usually be easily identified by their distinctive buzz or rattle, from which their name derives. They use this rattle as a signal for predators to stay away.

Once bitten, the venom takes only seconds to travel from the rattlesnake’s retractable fangs, through your skin, and into your bloodstream. You’ll begin to see symptoms immediately, but your symptoms will worsen over time.

Ideally, you’ll reach medical help within 30 minutes of being bitten. If the bite is left untreated, your bodily functions will break down over a period of 2 or 3 days and the bite may result in severe organ damage or death.

You’ll likely leave the hospital with pain medication. Don’t wait to be in pain before you take it, and take as directed by your healthcare provider. Attend follow-up appointments to ensure your wound is healing well.

You must contact your healthcare provider if your wound shows signs of infection. If your symptoms persist, return to the emergency department.

In recent years, the long-term side effects from rattlesnake bites seem to have increased in severity, though there has been very little research into why this may be.

In some cases, people have become critically ill and taken months to recover following a rattlesnake bite. It’s possible to go into severe shock, which can lead to strokes.

In some instances, people have lost a portion of their intestines due to restricted blood flow, and others have gone into kidney failure. These are side effects that were rarely seen in previous years.